The physical and mental health of Quebecers who are under five years old has been improving in recent years, according to a new report.

Compared to 30 years earlier, their physical health has improved with regard to asthma, unintentional injuries and infectious diseases, according to an Observatoire des tout-petits report that looked at 2016 statistics. Low-birth-weight babies and deaths at birth have also decreased in recent decades.

However, the report also pointed to concerns, including measles outbreaks and weight issues.

Between 2012 and 2015, one child aged 36 to 60 months out of three was at risk of being overweight, was overweight or was obese.

In addition, three-quarters of children aged three to five spent too much time in front of a screen, and almost one-third did not follow the recommendations for physical activity.

The report also points out that many children did not have access to a family doctor or pediatrician last year.

The Observatoire also reports that the rate of caesarean sections rose from 20.9 to 24.9 per cent in Quebec between 2002 to 2015. This sometimes-necessary surgical intervention involves risks, the report said, noting that the international community’s recommendation is that the ideal proportion of caesareans should be between 10 and 15 per cent.

The Observatoire des tout-petits, a creation of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, has as its mission to “help put the development and well-being (of children under five) at the heart of Quebec priorities.”

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